Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Northwest Arkansas is a great example of where the region is headed when it comes to quality-of-life investments. Years of excellent community planning and the investment of Alice Walton made that project all come together in late 2011 in Bentonville.

Consistent, long-term leadership has allowed Northwest Arkansas to always look ahead and consider what should be top priorities on the region's agenda. Excellent planning enabled the region to establish the Walmart AMP, Arvest Ballpark, the Scott Family Amazeum, the Razorback Regional Greeneway and any number of other projects that have all come together in the past decade or so.

The Northwest Arkansas Council is an active partner in taking a long-term view of the region's future without losing sight of short-term goals that must be accomplished.

Like so many successful regions across the U.S., Northwest Arkansas is challenged to keep up with its fast growth. The region needs better highways, improving downtowns, unique quality-of-life amentities and a constant infusion of high-quality jobs.